but if talks fail, would the fiscal cliff and a port strike be a one-two punch to the economy? "if its a couple of days, i think ultimately it would be a blip on the radar, but if it goes two weeks, it becomes a much greater problem." a key sticking point involves a fee longshoremen receive for each container that arrives in port. the container royalty fee was invented to help offset the need for fewer workers during the transition from bulk cargo to containers in the 1950s and 60s. shippers want the fee limited. longshoremen disagree. "it can be $15,000 per person. $200 million a year added to the cost of goods. that's a very significant number." if there's no compromise, a strike could leave goods headed for ports from boston to houston at sea and retailers with a headache. "if you have a container ship delayed two weeks, do you divert it to the west coast? that's an expensive option." and presidential intervention - unlikely. "i don't think president obama will get involved. it would be 'a betrayal' of organized labor." speaking of large travelers across oceans, ship traffic